don't reveal your muses or sources

after all we live
on the edge
of that deep dark
fault line
from whence all
words
become categorized
co-opted
by authoritarians
gasping the stale air
of historic irrelevance

let them starve

--- e b bortz

(published in opednews.com, Jan 31, 2011)
(published in Trumpet Call, Green Panda Press, 2012)

riding the blind wave

are just words used
(even after a lot of thinking)
to do nothing
but ride

not that there's
a case for optimism

what looks bleak
(after the inertia)
is the motion
that cleverly disguises
submission

don't take my crooked metaphors
you can do better

inquire within

--- e b bortz

sorry things got so dark

i'm no kind of "ist"
"crat" or "can"

don't ever take my word
for anything

no need to be a snoopin
my secrets are your secrets

leave that search warrant
in the trash

when we wake tomorrow
i expect the only surprise
will be snow...i'm just a
patriotic shovelin s.o.b.

hand me the internet
on a platter and i might just
eat it

i wanna start over with
new bygones

--- e b bortz

violence in our bowels

we own it
it owns us
color it
every conceivable
shade of omission
yet it chews like a tapeworm
believe
your gut

football or fatigues
rationalized uniforms are prayed to
the west was 'won'
in fiery
'sacrifice'
destiny becomes
destiny

be honest
those innermost images
are a predictable story
bloodstained heroes
whitewashed cowards
when in doubt
attack & hide
in the gospels

the way forward
becomes cliché
our backs are turned
from history
unclaimed demons
come between us

--- e b bortz

for the democrats who repeatedly vote for the corporate parties

i blame you for the wall street bailouts
for the drones and carnage of afghan families
for the millions of homeless and jobless
on our own streets
plains
imaginations
for the impoverished students
dropping out
remember the fakers who still occupy
the altars of legitimacy
in unions
community organizations
on city councils and in congress
the sell-outs who feign
justice
courage
solidarity

they all hide but you give them cover

if a reckoning is coming
it will surely wipe
every ass-kissing smirk
off your face
strip all the tv-juiced-cosmetics
& hair enhancements
away
i'd love to see your real face
you can look at mine as well
spit in my eye if that
satisfies you

i'm ready to walk the pain
with you
plant a tent
in lafayette park
asylum exists
when we take the first step

--- e b bortz

(published in opednews.com, Jan 2011)